Ridge hike

[EX121]

As part of our local SAR group requirements to be on the Backcountry or Intermediate team we have to hike Manastash ridge. It's 2 miles & 1800 foot elevation gain with a 25lbs. pack. Backcountry time limit is 1hr & 1 1/2hr for intermediate.

So after not doing it for a year because of injury and not really training much I did it in 1:12 the other day. But it really brought home how even though I've been exercising, if you want to be in shape for hiking, then that's what you need to do. My legs didn't burn or hurt until 3/4 of the way up, but I had no wind.

So now the neighbors are going to think I'm odd when they see me hiking around town with my pack. Need to get back into hiking condition.

[TollerMom]

Are you allowed to use hiking poles?

[EX121]

Yes, I usually use them, but for some reason I didn't on the way up, it would have helped. I did use them on the downhill.